so. h-hm. mm-k. good title, eh?
well, here we go. along with what i posted last night in titus, this section has been tearing on my heart lately. titus 3:1-5ish.(niv) "remind the people... to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and to show true humility toward all men. at one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. we lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. but when the kindness and love of god our savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy." i emphasized the peace-keeping part of this last night. tonight i want to emphasize the teaching of us all having imperfections in our past and not to think that if we're in an upswing currently, it's ok to slander those that are in their downswing.
sometimes it is so easy to find faults in others. it's kinda satisfying. it kinda makes us feel better to know that there are others that are worse off than we are. or maybe it helps us dislike them like we always wanted to. maybe there are those type of people that you just don't feel right about... there's always something that you think isn't right... and then you find out something that just confirms your suspicion. it's like an ah-ha! i was right. they are sinful. well, you know what? so are you. we all are. what that person needs isn't an "i told you so" or that sort of treatment. what that person needs isn't a lecture on how to correct their behavior. what that person needs isn't a cold shoulder or anything of that nature. love. that's what he needs.
i think that "show true humility toward all men" would be reaffirming jesus' teaching of "do unto others and you would have them do unto you" (matt. 7:12), don't you?!
we need to, above all other things, love each other. we are to show others the love of God. romans 12:9-10 says "don't just pretend that you love others. really love them. hate what is wrong. stand on the side of the good. love each other with genuine affection [brotherly love], and take delight in honoring each other." we can hate the wrong that people do... but what we need to, and should do, is LOVE ONE ANOTHER! we should never stop loving one another. romans 13:8 confirms, saying, "pay all your debts, except the debt of love for others. you can never finish paying that! if you love your neighbor, you will fulfill all the requirements of God's law... (vs 10)Love does no wrong to anyone, so love satisfies all of God's requirements."
1 john chapter 4, starting in verse 7 and finishing off the chapter goes on and on about love and loving and being loved. maybe this question should be considered: what effect does truly understanding the sacrifice of the cross have on our patience and love with others?
when you come across someone that you think is undeserving of your love, think again! you and me and they all are children of God. He sent his son to die for ALL OF US. not just the ones that behave the way you want or you think is right. He loves all of us and we ought to show the same mercy for not a single one of us is blameless and there isn't a sin that is worse or better than another sin.
Eph. 4:32, "be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you." we should be kind and loving because it is what God has done for us and commands of us.
perhaps forgiveness is key in this as well. maybe i'll do a diddy on forgiveness tomorrow night. enough has been said tonight. please dwell on these thoughts. pray. maybe a change of heart is needed.
well, here we go. along with what i posted last night in titus, this section has been tearing on my heart lately. titus 3:1-5ish.(niv) "remind the people... to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and to show true humility toward all men. at one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. we lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. but when the kindness and love of god our savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy." i emphasized the peace-keeping part of this last night. tonight i want to emphasize the teaching of us all having imperfections in our past and not to think that if we're in an upswing currently, it's ok to slander those that are in their downswing.
sometimes it is so easy to find faults in others. it's kinda satisfying. it kinda makes us feel better to know that there are others that are worse off than we are. or maybe it helps us dislike them like we always wanted to. maybe there are those type of people that you just don't feel right about... there's always something that you think isn't right... and then you find out something that just confirms your suspicion. it's like an ah-ha! i was right. they are sinful. well, you know what? so are you. we all are. what that person needs isn't an "i told you so" or that sort of treatment. what that person needs isn't a lecture on how to correct their behavior. what that person needs isn't a cold shoulder or anything of that nature. love. that's what he needs.
i think that "show true humility toward all men" would be reaffirming jesus' teaching of "do unto others and you would have them do unto you" (matt. 7:12), don't you?!
we need to, above all other things, love each other. we are to show others the love of God. romans 12:9-10 says "don't just pretend that you love others. really love them. hate what is wrong. stand on the side of the good. love each other with genuine affection [brotherly love], and take delight in honoring each other." we can hate the wrong that people do... but what we need to, and should do, is LOVE ONE ANOTHER! we should never stop loving one another. romans 13:8 confirms, saying, "pay all your debts, except the debt of love for others. you can never finish paying that! if you love your neighbor, you will fulfill all the requirements of God's law... (vs 10)Love does no wrong to anyone, so love satisfies all of God's requirements."
1 john chapter 4, starting in verse 7 and finishing off the chapter goes on and on about love and loving and being loved. maybe this question should be considered: what effect does truly understanding the sacrifice of the cross have on our patience and love with others?
when you come across someone that you think is undeserving of your love, think again! you and me and they all are children of God. He sent his son to die for ALL OF US. not just the ones that behave the way you want or you think is right. He loves all of us and we ought to show the same mercy for not a single one of us is blameless and there isn't a sin that is worse or better than another sin.
Eph. 4:32, "be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you." we should be kind and loving because it is what God has done for us and commands of us.
perhaps forgiveness is key in this as well. maybe i'll do a diddy on forgiveness tomorrow night. enough has been said tonight. please dwell on these thoughts. pray. maybe a change of heart is needed.
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